California University

VOLUME 13, NUMBER 6 FEB. 21, 2011

Blumberg
Joins
‘Pollies’
Panel

D

The Natali Student Center renovation and expansion project will give students improved services, activity and meeting spaces, with enhanced
state-of-the-art technology. More than 72 percent of students who cast ballots voted in favor of the plan.

Natali Renovation Approved

L

ast week Cal U students who pay the traditional oncampus fee voted in favor of a referendum on proposed
renovations to the Natali Student Center.
The approved proposal is based on results of a 2010 survey,
conducted in conjunction with WTW Architects, to assess the
needs of Cal U students, staff and faculty.
In that survey, students asked for a larger food court and
convenience store, more public lounge space, a coffeehouse
and quiet lounge space, improvements to the Vulcan Theatre
and sustainable/energy efficient features.
“We have heard our students requests for a state-of-the-art
gathering place for resident and commuting students, and with
their support, their wishes will be granted,” said Lenora
Angelone, vice president for student affairs.

“The center will offer improved services, activity and
meeting spaces, and will be enhanced with state-of-the-art
technology, while still providing student-friendly alcoves for
large and small social and scholarly interactions. “
The proposal calls for adding 37,000 square feet to the
existing facility and improving building access to accommodate
new traffic patterns arising from changes on campus.
The student center will remain open while the renovation
and expansion is under way.
“The University’s growth has stretched services offered at
the student center to their limits and created a vital need for
expanded and upgraded facilities,” said Larry Sebek, dean for
student services.
— Continued on page 2

r. Melanie Blumberg, a
professor in Cal U’s
Department of History and
Political Science, will be among the
judges for the 2011 Pollie Awards,
known as “the Oscars of political
advertising.”
The American Association of
Political Consultants (AAPC)
presents the awards annually to
recognize the work of political
consulting and public affairs
professionals. This year’s 20th annual
Pollie Awards and Conference will be
held March 9-11 in Washington, D.C.
The awards recognize excellence
in polling, campaign strategy and
management, fundraising, new media
and public affairs advertising, among
other categories. Political consulting
is an $8 billion industry, and judges
for the contest “represent the
industry’s best campaigning experts,”
according to the AAPC.
“I am honored to be selected as a
judge for the 2011 Pollie Awards, as I
appreciate the enormous talent of
campaign professionals,” said
Blumberg, who adds that she is
looking forward to judging the
Student Competition.
“The entries represent some of
the best work done by college
students, many of whom will be
future ‘rising stars’ in campaign
consulting,” she said.
“The AAPC conference is a must
for industry professionals and those
who teach applied politics, because
— Continued on page 2

Exhibit a Breathtaking Look Into Space
Planetary portraits
on display Friday
through April 12

T
Black History
Month Continues
Kendrick ‘Wyldcard’ Dean, a Grammynominated composer and record producer,
will conduct a music workshop and lecture
beginning at 6 p.m. today in the Morgan
Hall Learning Resource Center auditorium.
See story on page 4.

he views of the solar system that
one can see while standing here on
Earth are often impressive, if not
mind-blowing. But from the inner solar
system to its outer reaches, the closer and
more detailed views of Venus, Mars,
Jupiter, Saturn and the other planets that
have been achieved during the Space Age
show unparalleled beauty and visions
difficult to fathom.
This otherworldly view, collected
during 40 years of robotic space missions
and then processed into breathtaking
images, is the subject of the Smithsonian
Institution traveling exhibition Beyond:
Visions of Planetary Landscapes, on display
now until April 12 in the Manderino
— Continued on page 3

Christopher Jakela, a history and political science major, looks at prints by Michael Benson of
Mare Orientale, a 200-mile-wide impact crater on the moon, from the new SITES exhibit.

Students Vote to Renovate Natali Center
— Continued from page 1
“We are pleased that the students
voted for this referendum. The
improvements will give them the quality
facility they deserve.”
The referendum and funding plan for
the renovations conform to policies set
by the Pennsylvania State System of
Higher Education, which does not
permit tuition dollars to be used for
auxiliary facilities such as the student
center. Instead, the student center fee
will increase by $67.
Since the California Memorial Union
was constructed in 1968, the student
center has been the hub of campus
activities. With student approval, the
building was renovated and expanded in
1992 to accommodate a growing student
population, and it became the Natali
Student Center.
Dining facilities, formerly in
Gallagher Hall, moved to the student
center in 1999.The all-you-care-to-eat
Gold Rush Dining Room was part of
that expansion.
Since 1998, Cal U’s enrollment has
grown by more than 3,500 students with
no further expansion of the center.
“I voted for it, and I think it’s a good
idea to get everybody more room,” said
Zach Zigmund, a sophomore accounting
major who lives in Residence Hall C. “I
eat breakfast, lunch and dinner there,
and it’s pretty crowded. I think people
will enjoy their dining experience more
(in a larger facility).”
Brittany Balaz, a senior mathematics

Cal U students approved a proposal that will add 37,000 square feet to the Natali Student Center, which was last renovated in 1999.

and computer science major, also voted
in favor of the renovation. President of
the Future Math Teachers Club, she
believes an expanded student center will
offer more suitable venues for meetings
of campus clubs and organizations.
“We hold our meetings and seminars
in a classroom in Eberly and would love

to be able to hold them at the student
center,” said Blaz, chairman of the 2011
Senior Gift Drive. “I think students will
use the student center even more than
before.”
Project supporters were looking to
the future, Angelone said.
“Our students’ support for the next

phase of renovation to the Natali
Student Center provides each with the
opportunity to leave a legacy at Cal U,”
she said.
“The project represents Cal U for
Life to the greatest degree, for without
the students’ support, their renovated
center would not be possible.”

Blumberg on
Pollies Panel
— Continued from page 1

Guest Director
Gary John La
Rosa (front)
works through a
scene with Nick
Onesko during a
rehearsal of
‘Twilight of the
Golds’ in the
Blaney Theatre.

‘Twilight’ Opens Thursday

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he Department of Theatre and Dance opens its 2011
season with Twilight of the Golds, directed by artistin-residence Gary John La Rosa.
Performances of the moving melodrama are set for 8
p.m. Thursday and Friday, and 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday in
the Blaney Theatre, in Steele Hall.
La Rosa, a professional director and choreographer, has
spent a month helping student actors polish their skills for
this challenging show.
A resident of New York City, La Rosa has worked on
nearly 200 productions, including off-Broadway and
regional theatre, industrial shows, dinner theatre and
summer stock. He also coaches performers looking to
sharpen their acting and auditioning skills.
Twilight of the Golds explores the fictional idea that
genetic testing could reveal the sexual orientation of an
unborn child. La Rosa said the play, by Jonathan Tolins,
appealed to him because it combines comedy and drama
and will challenge the student actors.
“This play helps students realize their potential and not

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be afraid to experiment and grow as artists,” he said.
“Twilight of the Golds is an opportunity to bare your soul.”
This is the first time Cal U has welcomed an artist-inresidence. In addition to casting and directing the play,
LaRosa was available for classes during the day. He
presented workshops on topics such as auditioning and
breaking into the business that were open to all theatre
students.
“This has been an invaluable experience for our
students, and we are certainly looking forward to our
opening performance,” said Dr. Michele Pagen, professor in
the Department of Theatre and Dance. “We are very
fortunate to have had Gary John here with us. His presence
has created a lot of excitement and energy.”
Ticket price for Twilight of the Golds is $12 for adults,
$10 for seniors; students are admitted free with a Cal Card
and a $5 refundable deposit. The production is not suitable
for the youngest patrons. For ticket information, or to order
tickets (with a credit card) by phone, call the Steele Box
Office at 724-938-5943.

this is the best source for learning cuttingedge campaign techniques.”
Blumberg is a professor of political
science whose teaching assignments include
a course in campaign management. In
addition, she is director of the American
Democracy Project at Cal U and the adviser
for Cal Campaign Consultants, an
interdisciplinary group
that gives students
practical experience in
designing and
managing political
campaigns.
In addition to
studying American
political parties,
congressional elections
Dr. Melanie
and mass belief
Blumberg
systems, Blumberg is
active in Ohio politics and consults on a
number of judicial races.
She and her co-authors have published
numerous articles on local parties,
coordinated campaigns, campaign conduct
and civic engagement. Much of her research
is published in The State of the Parties and
Roads to Congress series.
Blumberg is the recipient of Cal U’s
Faculty Professional Development Merit
Award for Research, the Student
Government Community Eagle Award, and
the President’s Gala Award for Service.
Before joining the faculty at Cal U, she
held positions in Ohio at Mount Union
College and Kent State University, where
she was recognized as the Kent Interhall
Council Professor of Distinction and
received the College of Arts and Sciences
Student Advisory Council Distinguished
Teaching Award.

Campus
BRIEFS
Final Day for THIS
Applications

Andrea Marcolini, a Student Government senator, donates blood with the help of Linda Lambert (left), of the American Red Cross, while Bonnie
Kenner, Student Government president, offers support.

Cal U Wins Red Zone Challenge

A

lthough the Pittsburgh Steelers came up six points
short against the Green Bay Packers in the Super
Bowl, Cal U prevailed by 11 pints in a football-themed
blood drive challenge with Bay Port High School in Green Bay,
Wis.
Coordinated through student government, the University’s
Cal U for Life program and administered by the American Red
Cross, the Red Zone blood drive was held in the Performance
Center from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Feb. 4, the last day of classes
before Super Bowl Sunday.
Bay Port High School collected 55 pints of blood. Cal U

finished by “scoring” 66 usable pints for the Red Cross.
In all, 97 members of the Cal U community registered to
donate. Each potential donor was eligible to win a football
autographed by Steelers tight end Heath Miller.
The winner, chosen at random, was Korey Blucas, a sophomore sport management major.
“We had a very good turnout, and the campus community
showed great spirit and excitement,” said Melissa Dunn, director of student activities and programming.
“Everyone had fun. It was for a good cause, and the Cal U
red and black won!”

SITES Exhibit Looks Into Space

Staff Convocation
Tomorrow

— Continued from page 1
Gallery at California University of
Pennsylvania.
The exhibit’s astonishing views of the
solar system’s planets and their moons
come primarily from NASA and
European Space Agency missions. Artist
Michael Benson mines planetary
databases for his source material, then
pulls together the images to create
seamless photographs of unprecedented
clarity and realism. Throughout the
process, Benson strives to stay true to the
natural and breathtaking reality of space.
Benson is a journalist and awardwinning filmmaker (Predictions of Fire,
1995) whose work has been published in
The New York Times, The New Yorker,
The Atlantic and The Washington Post,
among many other publications. Benson’s
award-winning book Beyond: Visions of the
Interplanetary Probes (Abrams, 2003)
includes a forward by science-fiction
writer Arthur C. Clarke. A paperback
edition of the book was released in 2008.
“My goal was to locate, digitally
process and print some of the most
extraordinary sights ever captured,”
Benson says.
Beyond shows that familiar geological
formations and the atmospheric

President Angelo Armenti, Jr.
will host the 2011 Spring Staff
Convocation at 2 p.m. Tuesday in
the Performance Center.

Sport Management
Conference Set
NASA/JPL/Michael Benson, Kinetikon Pictures

‘Europa over Jupiter’s Great Red Spot,’ a multi-frame mosaic, is part of the SITES exhibit
‘Beyond: Visions of Planetary Landscapes.’

disturbances that take place on Earth also
can be found on neighboring planets: the
erupting volcanoes of Sicily find their
counterpart in the lava eruptions of
Jupiter’s moon Io; the moon’s deep
craters are displayed alongside the
“cantaloupe” terrain of Neptune’s moon
Triton; the stormy clouds of Greenland
can be seen alongside the “dust devils” of
Mars. The show’s compositions include
rare pictures of the sand dunes on Mars,
storms on Neptune and the fiery
eruptions of the sun.
Beyond: Visions of Planetary Landscapes

was created by Michael Benson and
organized for travel by the Smithsonian
Institution Traveling Exhibition Service
(SITES).
All SITES exhibitions at Cal U are
open to the public. Gallery hours are 8
a.m.-4 p.m. Monday; 8 a.m.-8 p.m.
Tuesday and Thursday; 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
Wednesday; 8 a.m.-noon Friday; 11 a.m.3 p.m. Saturday; and 2-6 p.m. Sunday. To
discuss group tours or field trips, call
exhibitions coordinator Walter Czekaj at
724-938-5244 or send e-mail to
czekaj@calu.edu.

Journal Has New Online Look

T

Today is the last day for
undergraduate students to apply
for The Harrisburg Internship
Semester (THIS), an internship
opportunity sponsored by the
Pennsylvania State System of
Higher Education.
THIS interns work in the state
capital, where they attend
seminars and work with
legislators, policy-makers and
other professionals in various state
government offices. Interns can
earn 15 credit hours toward a
bachelor’s degree, consistent with
the policies of Cal U and the
student’s major department.
Students from all majors are
encouraged to apply. Eligible
students must have a minimum
grade-point average of 3.0 and
have earned at least 45 credits at
the time of application.
All candidates must submit a
completed application form; a
letter of application; a three- to
five-page writing sample; a current
resume and transcript; and two
letters of recommendation.
For complete information and
application forms, contact Dr.
Melanie J. Blumberg in the
Department of History and
Political Science, Room 440,
Manderino Library, at 724-9385720 or blumberg@calu.edu, or
visit www.calu.edu. Application
materials must be on file in
Blumberg’s office by 4 p.m. today.

he Journal, Cal U’s weekly news publication, has
undergone a digital makeover.
The online version of the Journal now is easier to read
thanks to Issuu, a Web-based digital platform that allows for a
realistic, magazine-style viewing of publications. Instead of
downloading a PDF file, readers can simply click to flip the
pages of the Journal, zoom in and out to read text more easily,
and share publications via e-mail and social media networks.

A PDF link remains available for anyone who wishes to
download and print a copy of the Journal. Archived editions
from previous years still use the PDF format.
Soon the current issues of other University publications, such
as the Cal U Review, also will be presented using Issuu.
To read the Journal online, click “News” at the top of the
Cal U homepage, www.calu.edu; look for “Cal U Journal” to
see the current edition or to review archived editions from 2011.

The second annual Cal U
Sport Management Conference
will be held Thursday and Friday.
This year’s theme is
“Collaborating, Networking and
Building a Future Sport Career.”
The conference aims to help
students and alumni find jobs or
internships, while building
partnerships with industry
personnel. It is presented by the
University’s Sport Management
program in collaboration with the
Cal U Internship Center and
Office of Career Services.
Participants represent
professional sports teams, sports
marketing firms and collegiate
athletic conferences.
“This event is a win-win
situation for everyone,” said Dr.
Charles Crowley, assistant
professor of Sport Management
Studies. “Listening to leaders from
the sport management field,
combined with networking and
interviewing opportunities, will be
invaluable to our students,
internship providers and
employers.”
For more information, e-mail
crowley@calu.edu.

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Auction Adds to Penguins Scholarship Fund

P

enguins fans scored autographed jerseys and a
memorable game-night experience, but Cal U
students were the ultimate winners of a recent
online auction hosted by the Pittsburgh hockey club.
When bidding closed Feb. 4, nearly $10,000 had
been added to the Pittsburgh Penguins Scholarship at
California University of Pennsylvania.
The auction proceeds will boost the scholarship
fund over the $20,000 mark.
Previous auctions netted more than $11,600 for the
fund, which was established in 2009.
“Cal U and its students are to be commended for
their commitment to this auction and the scholarship
fund,” said Mark Turley, director of corporate media
sales for the Pittsburgh Penguins.
“It’s an honor for the Penguins organization to work
with such a great education partner as Cal U for the
betterment of its students and to provide these types of
opportunities.”
Eight packages were on the block in the latest

Popular items such as all-star goalie Marc-Andre Fleury’s
autographed jersey helped add nearly $10,000 to the
Pittsburgh Penguins Scholarship at California University of
Pennsylvania.

fundraiser, including a game-night experience with
game tickets for four, dinner in the Lexus Club and a

Hoops Star Smith Nets
Academic Honors

V

irtually unstoppable on the
basketball court, Cal U’s Kayla
Smith is also a winner in the
classroom.
A senior forward on the perennially
successful Cal U women’s basketball
team, Smith recently was named to the
Capital One Academic All-District II
Third Team.
Members of CoSIDA, the College
Sports Information Directors of America,
make the selection.
Smith, a three-time PSAC ScholarAthlete, has earned a bachelor’s degree in
sport management and is pursing a
master’s degree in exercise science from
Cal U.
She is one of four women’s basketball
standouts from the Pennsylvania State
Athletic Conference to earn a spot on the
three academic all-district teams.
To qualify for the academic all-district
honors, student-athletes must maintain a
cumulative grade-point average of 3.30 or
higher and must have reached sophomore
standing in athletics and academics at
their institution.
Nominees must have participated in at
least 50 percent of the team’s games, and
each must be a starter or an important
reserve player with legitimate athletic
credentials.
The district consists of all colleges and
universities in Delaware, Maryland, New
Jersey, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and
the District of Columbia that are not
affiliated with NCAA Division I.
On the basketball court, Smith is a
four-year star. She is the PSAC’s top
scorer and second leading rebounder,
averaging 19.2 points and 12.8 rebounds
per game as of Feb. 15.
She is shooting 57 percent from the
floor and has produced 16 double-doubles

chance to view warm-ups from the penalty box.
Fans also bid on four all-star packages, two Winter
Classic packages and an Iceburgh mascot party for kids.
High bidders won items autographed by players Sidney
Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Kris Letang, Marc-Andre
Fleury and Jordan Staal.
“The auction results were outstanding,” said Craig
Butzine, interim vice president for marketing and
university relations at Cal U. “The University’s
partnership with the Penguins has created a number of
opportunities for our students, including internships
and other resume-building experiences.
“But scholarships remain our students’ greatest
need, and once again the Penguins have stepped up to
help. Their support truly is making a difference.”
Cal U is the official education partner of the
Pittsburgh Penguins. The Pittsburgh Penguins
Scholarship is awarded annually to a student who
demonstrates financial need and maintains a gradepoint average of 3.0 or higher.

Music, Quiz Show on Tap
for Black History Month

C

al U’s Black History Month
celebration continues with
four events this week,
including a music workshop by
Grammy Award nominee Kendrick
“Wyldcard” Dean and a Black
History Month Quiz Show
This week’s events:
• Tonight: Kendrick “Wyldcard”
Dean, a Grammy-nominated
composer and record producer will
present a music workshop and lecture
at 6 p.m. in the Morgan Hall
Learning Resource Center
auditorium. Dean has co-written and
produced singles with artists
including Toni Braxton, Mary J.
Blige, Danity Kean and Destiny’s
Child.
A native of Miami, Fla., and a
former high school history teacher,
Dean has contributed to numerous
Billboard chart-topping songs
including the No. 1 record “Say
Goodbye,” performed Chris Brown,
and “Last Time,” performed by Trey
Songz.
Films including This Christmas,
Step Up and Tyler Perry’s Madea Goes
to Jail all feature his work. Dean’s
television credits include appearances

Kayla Smith, a forward on the Cal U
women’s basketball team, has been named
to the Capital One Academic All-District II
Third Team.

in 21 starts this season.
Also a two-time All-America finalist,
Smith ranks third in career scoring with
1,924 career points. The team’s career
leader in made free throws, with 418, she
has 1,186 career rebounds and is closing
in on that school record, as well.

on MTV’s Making the Band and BET’s
Monica – Still Standing. His
sophisticated musical style
encompasses elements of R&B,
classical, jazz, gospel, and classic
rock.
• Tuesday: At 11 a.m. in Vulcan
Theatre, the Frederick Douglass
Institute Lecture Series presents Dr.
Michael J. Brna, director of the
Library of Congress of Teaching with
Primary Sources program. His lecture
title is ““Anna Murray Douglass: the
Binding Glue of the Frederick Douglass
Legacy.“
• Wednesday: AVI, the
University’s food service provider,
offers dining options from a region of
Africa at the Gold Rush and
Sycamore Bistro.
• Thursday: A Black History Quiz
Show will be held in the Washington
Food Court inside the Natali Student
Center. The contest begins at 8 p.m.
All events are free and open to the
public. Visitor parking is available in the
new Vulcan Garage, off Third Street near
the campus entrance. For a complete
calendar of events, video clips and more
information about the performers and
speakers, visit www.calu.edu.

Open Forum With
Chancellor Set Tuesday
Students, faculty and staff are invited to attend an open forum with Dr.
John C. Cavanaugh, chancellor of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher
Education.
The chancellor will address the campus community at 9 a.m. Tuesday in
Natali 206-207. His talk is scheduled for 45 minutes.

The California Journal is published weekly by California University of Pennsylvania, a member of The Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education.
Dr. Angelo Armenti, Jr.
University President

Dr. Charles Mance
Vice President for University Technology Services

Craig Butzine
Interim Vice President for Marketing and University Relations

Geraldine M. Jones
Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs

Ron Huiatt
Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations

Christine Kindl
Editor

Dr. Lenora Angelone
Vice President for Student Affairs

Robert Thorn
Interim Vice President for Administration and Finance

Bruce Wald, Wendy Mackall, Jeff Bender
Writers

Office of Communication and Public Relations

250 University Avenue

California, PA 15419

724-938-4195

wald@calu.edu

The Journal is printed on paper made from trees harvested under the principles of the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (www.SFIprogram.org).

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